Upright hair dryer

ABSTRACT

An upright hair dryer device includes a base that is adapted to support the hair dryer in a predetermined orientation, such as in an upright orientation. The base is configured to serve as a stable platform for the hair dryer so as to reduce the likelihood of the hair dryer undesirably toppling over.

REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENT

This application claims priority of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/310,442 filed on Mar.4, 2010. The disclosure of the Provisional Patent Application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to hair care products and more particularly relates to an upright hair dryer.

Hair dryers are well known and broadly used by barbers, beauticians, hair stylist and by individuals in their own homes and hotel rooms. A hair dryer is used to apply warm or hot air to dry an individual's hair. The dryer can be combined with a brush, comb, or other grooming product for grooming the hair as it is being dried.

Existing hair dryers have drawbacks in that they are unwieldy and often cumbersome to use. In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved hair dryer device.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, there is disclosed an upright hair dryer device. In an embodiment, the hair dryer includes a base that is adapted to support the hair dryer in a predetermined orientation, such as in an upright orientation. The base is configured to serve as a stable platform for the hair dryer so as to reduce the likelihood of the hair dryer undesirably toppling over.

The hair dryer includes an ergonomic neck that supports an air outlet through which air can exit the hair dryer. The neck is ergonomically designed to provide the user with a comfortable means of holding and manipulating the hair dryer.

Various embodiments of the roller system are described below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of various embodiments, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the disclosed devices and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front, perspective view of an upright dryer.

FIG. 2 shows a rear, perspective view of the dryer.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective, bottom view of the dryer.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged, perspective view of an air outlet of the dryer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present subject matter is further described, it is to be understood that this subject matter described herein is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used here in is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one skilled in the art to which this subject matter belongs.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an upright dryer 105 that is adapted to propel air out through an orifice such as for the purpose of drying hair. The dryer 105 includes a base 110 that can be positioned on a surface for supporting the dryer in a predetermined orientation. An elongated neck 115 extends upwardly from the base 110 and forms into an air outlet 120 that is adapted to expel air as described in more detail below. The neck 115 is sized and shaped to be grasped by a user's hand such that the next 115 can serve as a handle for holding and manipulating the upright dryer

The upright dryer 105 includes an internal air blower such as in the form of an axial flow fan driven by a motor to generate an axially forced air flow directed from an air inlet 205 (FIG. 2) at the rear end of the base 110 towards the air outlet 120 provided at the end of the neck 115. The motor is disposed downstream of the blower and may be coupled to an internal rectifier having baffles for rectification of the forced air flow. In this regard, the dryer 105 may include any of a variety of internal air flow directors or diffusers for guiding, diffusing or otherwise manipulating the air flow as it flows from the air inlet 205 to the air outlet 120. The motor may be any of a wide variety of motors including a DC or an AC powered motor. The motor may include a turbine having a series of rotating vanes for effecting air flow when the motor is activated. The air flow can occur along any of a variety of directions through the upright dryer, including a horizontal direction, vertical direction, or combination thereof.

The dryer 100 may include an internal heater that is adapted to heat air that flows through the dryer 100. The heater may be coupled to a controller that permits a user to vary the level of heat that is applied to the air.

The base 110 is sized and shaped to support the dryer in an upright orientation or any orientation that extends outwardly fro a flat or substantially flat surface on which the base 110 is positioned. For example, the base 110 may be positioned on a flat, horizontal surface such that the neck 115 extends vertically from the horizontal surface. Alternately, the base 110 can be suctioned (as described more fully below) to a vertical or inclined surface such that the neck 115 extends horizontally from the base 110.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective, bottom view of the dryer 100 with a view of the bottom surface of the base 110. The bottom surface of the base 110 may include an attachment mechanism that permits the base 110 to be lockingly attached to a flat surface. For example, the attachment mechanism may be configured to lock the base to the flat surface in a suction manner. For example, the base 110 may include one or more suction cups through which suction can be applied to the flat surface. In another embodiment, the base has a suction base bottom that can be secured to a flat surface such as using a cam lever coupled to a diaphragm on the base. When actuated, the cam lever manipulates the diaphragm to cause the suction diaphragm to hold a vacuum allowing the dryer to stick to the flat surface. In this regard, the flat surface need not be a horizontal surface. The flat surface can be horizontal, vertical, or inclined such that the flat bottom of the base can be suctioned to any flat surface.

The base 110 is sized and shaped to serve as a secure and stable support platform for the dryer 100. In this regard, the base 110 can be widened or flared relative to the size of the neck 115 such that there is a reduced tendency for the dryer to topple over. The base 110 can have sufficient mass such that the center of gravity of the dryer is relatively low along the vertical axis of the device thereby reducing the tendency of the device to topple over. When combined with the suction capability, the size and shape of the base reduces or eliminates the likelihood that the dryer 100 will unintentionally topple once the dryer 100 is positioned on a flat surface.

With reference again to FIG. 1, dryer 100 includes a display screen 122 that displays information. The information on the display screen 122 can vary and can include, for example, temperature of the air, air flow direction, air flow type, on-off state, etc. In an embodiment, the display screen 122 is adapted to display a visual representation of the state of the air flow such as in the form of one or more charts, graphs, velocity, waveforms, etc. The display screen 122 can also display an indicator that indicates when the dryer is blowing air or heating air. The display screen 122 can also include or be coupled to controllers, such as knobs, buttons, dials, switches, etc. that can be used to control the dryer 100. For example, the controllers can be used to raise or lower the air flow velocity, activate or deactivate the dryer, vary the heating temperature, etc.

As mentioned, the neck 115 can serve as a handle for a user to grasp the dryer and manipulate the dryer in a desired manner. The neck 115 may be ergonomically configured to optimize the comfort of the user when holding the neck 115. For example, the neck 115 may be sized and shaped to conform to a user's hand and can include indentations that are sized and shaped to align with the user's fingers. The neck 115 may also be at least partially manufactured or coated with a pliable material, such as silicon or rubber, that gives and conforms to the shape of the user's hand when the user grasps and applies pressure to the neck 115.

The neck 115 may be movably attached to the base 110 such as at an interface 125 that permits the neck 115 to be movably adjusted or reoriented relative to the base 110. The interface desirably permits the neck 115 to be rotated up to 360 degrees relative to the base 110. In addition, the airflow outlet 120 is movably attached to the neck 115 at an interface 130 that permits the airflow outlet 120 to be movably adjusted (e.g., rotated or extended) relative to the neck 115. The relative movement of the airflow outlet 120 and the neck 115 relative to one another and to the base 110 permit the dryer 100 to be arranged in a variety of spatial configurations and orientations.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged, perspective view of an air outlet 120 of the dryer. The air outlet 120 can have any of a variety of shapes adapted to achieve a desired air flow profile. For example, the air outlet 120 can have a nozzle configuration. The air outlet 120 comprises an opening 405 through which air flows out of the dryer in a desired direction. The opening 405 can be equipped with one or more structures such as baffles or filters to achieve a desired air flow profile. The opening 405 can be adapted to diffuse air.

While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

Although embodiments of various methods and devices are described herein in detail with reference to certain versions, it should be appreciated that other versions, embodiments, methods of use, and combinations thereof are also possible. Therefore the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. 

1. An upright hair dryer system, comprising: a base; a neck extending from the base, the neck attached at a proximal end to the base; an air flow outlet at a distal end of the neck; a motor configured to propel air out of the air flow outlet; and an attachment mechanism on the base, the attachment mechanism configured to lockingly attach the base to a flat surface.
 2. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a display configured to provide a visual representation of a state of airflow.
 3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the neck is rotatingly attached to the base.
 4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the air flow outlet is rotatingly attached to the neck.
 5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a suction cup.
 6. A system as in claim 5, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of suction cups on a bottom surface of the base.
 7. A system as in claim 1, wherein the neck comprises a handle.
 8. A system as in claim 7, further comprising a coating on the handle wherein the coating is pliable.
 9. A system as in claim 1, wherein the motor includes a rotor.
 10. A system as in claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a rubber diaphragm configured to sealingly attach to a flat surface via a vacuum. 